Russia Advances on Kostiantynivka, Destroying Positions Amidst Ukrainian Shortages

Russian forces are methodically advancing on Kostiantynivka, a crucial Ukrainian stronghold in the Donetsk region and a gateway to Kramatorsk. According to "The New York Times," Russian troops have already secured areas south of the river that divides the settlement and are now approaching from two directions.

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Currently, there is no specific territory completely controlled by the enemy. There are individual buildings occupied by the enemy, and it is precisely for these that we are fighting.

Similar to the battles for Bakhmut and Pokrovsk, the Russian military is systematically destroying buildings and Ukrainian positions using artillery and aviation. This tactic forces Ukrainian units to gradually withdraw, allowing Russian soldiers to infiltrate the ruins. Brigadier General Oleksandr Bakulin, commander of the 19th Army Corps responsible for Kostiantynivka's defense, stated that Russian soldiers have been observed in some parts of the city, particularly the center. He previously mentioned that over 100 Russian soldiers had penetrated the city, with some Ukrainian journalists estimating around 250.

"Currently, there is no specific territory completely controlled by the enemy. There are individual buildings occupied by the enemy, and it is precisely for these that we are fighting," Bakulin said. The widespread use of attack drones by both sides makes any movement through the city and its surroundings extremely dangerous. Bakulin noted that unlike previous battles, Russian soldiers are now infiltrating the city individually, not in groups.

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We did not try to hold every position at any cost and sacrifice many people.

Ukraine lacks sufficient troops to completely block Russian entry into Kostiantynivka, leading the Ukrainian army to make tactical retreats in certain sectors. "We did not try to hold every position at any cost and sacrifice many people," Bakulin explained. The situation in Kostiantynivka mirrors challenges in other parts of the Donetsk front, where Ukrainian forces, despite recent successful strikes on Russian logistics routes in southern Ukraine, are complaining about shortages of personnel, ammunition, and drones. Furthermore, Ukraine has struggled to halt devastating Russian guided aerial bomb strikes that are leveling settlements in the path of Russian advances. Cities like Sloviansk, Kramatorsk, Druzhkivka, and Kostiantynivka have been severely damaged, forcing thousands of civilians to flee their homes. Russian forces have also recently begun mass drone attacks on agricultural land and equipment in southern Ukraine, with one farmer reporting 29 separate drone attacks during the autumn sowing season alone.

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Attacks on our fields began back in 2024, but they were nothing compared to what we are experiencing now.